A divided Bryan city council has given preliminary approval to giving $2.4 four million dollars for a conference center that’s part of a planned hotel and retail development in the area of Traditions golf course and the biocorridor.
Spencer Clements of Atlas Development, the group that owns Traditions, says without the conference center, there’s no boutique hotel.
The chief executive of the Texas A&M Health Science Center, Dr. Brett Giroir, says it’s a critical component to create the environment necessary to be an international player in the pharmaceutical business.
Members of the Brazos County Lodging Association opposed what spokesman Hunter Goodwin told the council was subsidizing a competitor in an exploding market.
Mayor Jason Bienski challenged Goodwin and other hotel owners in the audience wearing red shirts to offer a competing proposal in the biocorridor.
City Manager Kean Register says the money doesn’t get paid until the developer satisfies their financial obligations.
The council voted 5-2. Rafael Pena and Al Saenz, who voted against the main motion, where defeated in their attempt to postpone a decision until the entire council could meet with the lodging group. Final action in set two weeks.
Another $3.8 million is going into the rest of building the Atlas Town Center.
Click HERE for background information presented to the council.
Click HERE to read support for the project given by the Brazos County Commission.
Map of the ATLAS Town Center development courtesy of ATLAS.